Dentistry North Texas
VOLUME 3
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ISSUE 6
a business and lifestyle magazine for north texas dentists
The All-in-One Advantage
Forte Implant Center
Profile
Children 1st Dental & Surgery Center
Smiles in the Spotlight
Jeff M. Roy, DDS Invisalign Creates a Confident Smile
Community News
North Dallas Shared Ministries Offers a Great Place to Practice
Practice Marketing
New Rules For Patient Testimonials
YOUR 1ST CHOICE WHEN KIDS REQUIRE
We NEVER Recall Your Patient!
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Dentistry North Texas
ON THE COVER
The All-in-One Advantage Forte Implant Center
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24 ON THE COVER: Dr. Lee Fitzgerald, founder of the Forte Implant Center
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BAYLOR COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY
From Lab to Label Researchers move dental products to the marketplace
LAWYER’S CORNER
Cybercrime and HIPAA-based Enforcement Actions Are you adequately safeguarding your patients’ PHI?
HEALTHY LIVING
Grilled Pineapple with Mint Sugar A delicious summer treat with health benefits
SMILES IN THE SPOTLIGHT Dr. Jeff Roy Invisalign creates a confident smile
COMMUNITY NEWS
North Texas Shared Ministries Offers a Great Place to Practice A chance to restore dignity and find immeasurable reward
PRACTICE MARKETING
New Rules for Patient Testimonials What Texas dentists need to know
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
What’s your financial management system? Implementing an effective plan for accounts receivable
WINE CELLAR
The Education of a Wine Drinker Vouvray and ooh-la-la – where one oenophile’s passion all began
NEWS & NOTES
Community Dental Care Welcomes a New CEO Sharon Fulcher-Estes now at the helm
MONEY MATTERS
The New Dentist’s Ten-Year Plan for Financial Success Aligning your career trajectory with your financial goals
PROFILE
Children 1st Dental & Surgery Center’s New Chief Dental Director Welcoming Dr. John Gober aboard www.northtexasdentistry.com
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NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY
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from the publisher
Dentistry North Texas
Publisher | LuLu Stavinoha Photographer | Ray Bryant, Bryant Studios Contributing Writers | LaDawn Brock, Tina Cauller, Kim Clarke, Dr. Richard Lyschik, Alex Marcopolos, Dr. Jeff Roy, Jim Ruddy, Neil Rudoff, Kathy Duran-Thal, Sarah Wirskye
September has arrived and with it comes the excitement and enthusiasm of new beginnings. The new school year, our favorite TV shows, and football, football, football are all gearing up for the fall. If we are really patient, we might even feel a little drop in temperature!
North Texas Dentistry presents the Forte Implant Center and the dental practice of Dr. Lee Fitzgerald. This unique center can provide implant treatment from start to finish under one roof, in addition to being a teaching and training facility. Dr. Fitzgerald plans to host seminars from some of the most prominent implant specialists in the country.
Smiles in the Spotlight highlights an impressive Invisalign case by Dr. Jeff Roy. The patient had no interest in traditional braces but was very compliant and the results are amazing!
Healthy Living is excited to introduce a new feature from the Cooper Wellness Program. Each issue will include nutrition tips and a delicious recipe from Kathy Duran-Thal, RD. I look forward to enjoying some yummy treats!
Community News presents an outstanding program, North Dallas Shared Ministries. NDSM, established to help people facing challenges in their life, recently spent over $100,000 to update their dental clinic. The program is in need of volunteers… dentists, hygienists and assistants. Please consider donating a few hours of your time to help this clinic serve more people in our community. Details and photos inside! Don’t forget to start making plans to be part of the Convention Issue for the Southwest Dental Conference. The conference is not until January but the team of NTD is already working to make this the best Convention Issue ever.
Ray Bryant
PHOTOGRAPHY
Tina Cauller
WRITING / DESIGN
Thanks to all of you who support North Texas Dentistry and make its publication possible! Keep smiling and have a great day!
LuLu Stavinoha, RDH Publisher
Remember to “Like” us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/NorthTexasDentistry
4 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of editorial material published in North Texas Dentistry, articles may contain statements, opinions, and other information subject to interpretation. Accordingly, the publisher, editors and authors and their respective employees are not responsible or liable for inaccurate or misleading data, opinion or other information in material supplied by contributing authors. Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or in whole without written permission is prohibited.
Advertise in North Texas Dentistry For more information on advertising in North Texas Dentistry, call LuLu Stavinoha at (214) 629-7110 or email lulu@northtexasdentistry.com. Send written correspondence to: North Texas Dentistry P.O. Box 12623 Dallas, TX 75225
From Lab to Label Dr. Lynne Opperman Could antioxidants heal wounds of the mouth? Their health benefits in fighting free radicals and preventing diseases have been well documented. One company, Periosciences in Dallas, wanted to test the theory that, in the right concentrations, antioxidants might heal oral lesions and wounds. But what concentrations and combinations of antioxidants would work?
Instead of using extracts from berries, which could vary in concentration depending on growing conditions and other variables, the company wanted to use purified antioxidants for predictable uniformity from batch to batch of the product. At question was knowing the exact concentrations and combinations to use. Periosciences approached Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry to do the preclinical testing of these antioxidants.
Dr. Kathy Svoboda, Regents Professor and graduate program director in biomedical sciences, worked with the company to determine which combinations work best. The company is now selling the formula in a toothpaste, mouth rinse and gel. The products can be purchased directly from the dentist’s office and can subsequently be reordered directly from the company. Dr. Lynne Opperman (pictured above), the college’s director of the Office of Technology Development and professor in biomedical sciences, often is contacted by companies such as Periosciences for help partnering them with researchers possessing certain expertise. “Ninety percent of the translational research
Researchers move dental products to the marketplace by LaDawn Brock
we do is requested by companies who know the volume of research we do, see our publications and ask us to do their preclinical research for them,” Opperman says.
“I set up meetings with those people I think might form synergistic teams,” Opperman said. “Usually the company will bond with researchers who have similar interests and personalities. As the meetings progress, I can help bring in business people, attorneys and possible investors from my contacts through the Dallas Regional Chamber, Texas Healthcare Wildcatters and North Texas Angel Network, among others.” Opperman also assists with setting up the contracts or sponsored research agreements.
Sometimes TAMBCD faculty, residents or researchers develop a product that needs transfer to the medical marketplace. Such is the case with Dr. Phillip Campbell, Robert E. Gaylord Endowed Chair in Orthodontics who combined four different types of medications to create an ulcer powder to help patients suffering from ulcers in the mouth.
According to Opperman, two studies were completed on the powder — one on traumatic ulcers and one on recurrent apthous ulcers — and results show the product works for both. Campbell patented and Opperman helped secure the license of the product to Wedgewood Pharmacy in New Jersey for production and marketing.
These are just two examples of translational research being conducted at the college. Opperman said product ideas take a long time from concept to research phase to
learning the process of technology development.
“Researchers and faculty are trained in the research process — how to write grants, how to design and conduct studies and how to write papers and get them published,” Opperman said. “For technology development, the processes are completely different, and most researchers receive no training in how to protect intellectual property, write a business plan, create research partnerships with corporate America, get federal clearance for new technologies, and actually commercialize a product.”
She said once inventors have experienced the process, it becomes easier and some become serial entrepreneurs.
“It takes a lot of time and energy and does not guarantee a successful product at the end of it,” Opperman said. “However, this process can be very exciting and stimulating for some, and they become successful because they thrive on the challenge. Of course it helps to have a fabulous technology idea.”
Founded in 1905, Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas is a college of the Texas A&M Health Science Center. TAMBCD is a nationally recognized center for oral health sciences education, research, specialized patient care and continuing dental education.
LaDawn Brock is web and media relations manager at Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. A 1991 mass communications (public relations) graduate of Texas Woman’s University, she has worked in communications for 22 years.
www.northtexasdentistry.com
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NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY
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cover feature
The All-in-One Advantage Forte Implant Center by Tina Cauller
D
Dr. Lee Fitzgerald and Dallas periodontist Dr. Eduardo Tanur work together to create a top-notch experience for dental implant patients.
ental implants are frequently the best solution for a patient with one or more missing teeth. With proper care, implants have proven to have a high rate of success, but a successful outcome requires that every step of treatment is carefully planned and integrated into the overall goal. The process requires an experienced interdisciplinary team, and all members must communicate clearly and effectively with each other to successfully meet the patient’s aesthetic and functional expectations. Typically, the patient is referred by a restorative dentist for evaluation and treatment by multiple specialists in preparation for the implant, a process that is usually completed over many visits to several different offices. Because so many different providers are involved, total procedure costs are difficult to project up front, and final results are affected by the performance of several different entities.
To Dr. Lee Fitzgerald, a leading implant dentist, the typical multioffice approach seemed unnecessarily inefficient, inconvenient, and unpredictable. In 2006, Dr. Fitzgerald began offering single location implant care at the Fitzgerald Dental Implant Center. In 2012, he established the Forte Implant Center to add another
6 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
important component that would allow him to share what he had learned over 28 years in practice. At this unique facility, Dr. Fitzgerald mentors dental professionals and provides training focused on his innovative philosophy and approach to dental implant treatment. The seminars offered at the Center have helped dentists elevate their understanding of implant treatment to the next level. Planning for a more predictable outcome
Recognizing the important benefits of controlling the numerous variables in the implant process, Dr. Fitzgerald sought to assemble an experienced team, as well as the latest diagnostic imaging technology, a surgical facility, and laboratory services all under one roof, so treatment could be efficiently coordinated to ensure predictable outcomes and maximize convenience for both the restorative dentist and the patient. Establishing the Center as a total service provider helps control costs and simplifies accurate pricing projection. “Because my goal is to consistently deliver patients’ and other dentists’ expectations, I found it less than ideal not to have control
The Forte Implant Center is specially equipped to enable the training of dentists who want to learn more about the nuances of proper diagnosis, treatment planning and implant restoration to augment their implant practices. over all the ‘moving parts’ of the implant equation,” notes Dr. Fitzgerald. “Creating the Center was a perfect match to my own perfectionist nature and the answer to my concerns about achieving consistent, predictable outcomes.”
The Forte Implant Center brings together all of the disciplines necessary to provide a successful, natural-looking implant in a single location specially designed and equipped for dental implant treatment. The Center includes a state-of-the-art Kodak 9500 cone beam 3D imaging system, which provides essential diagnostic information and enables precise planning. The office is the first in Texas to have this Kodak system, which combines mid field and large field imaging capabilities to offer superior image quality with minimal radiation exposure. Tailoring treatment
The Forte Implant Center provides a full range of cosmetic, implant dentistry and periodontal services, including crowns, veneers and bonding, full and partial dentures, crown lengthening, bone and sinus grafting, dental implants, and implant-supported dentures. Dallas periodontist Dr. Eduardo Tanur has been with Dr. Fitzgerald since 2009, adding his surgical expertise in order to create a top-notch experience for dental implant patients.
Dr. Fitzgerald made the decision early on to offer a customizable approach to partnering with restorative dentists on implant cases. As he explains, “Our practice is unique in that we can and do provide implant treatment from start to finish, but we tailor our involvement to suit the dentist’s preferences. We can support the dentist’s implant practice at any level – from only a scan, to placing an implant, to providing complete implant treatment and education starting with diagnostic evaluation and imaging and carrying through to the finished restoration.”
Sometimes, supporting a dentist’s goals involves additional training to expand upon their current capabilities. Consequently, the facility was designed with education as a high priority from its inception. “This facility is specially equipped to enable us to host dentists who want to learn more about the nuances of proper diagnosis, treatment planning and implant restoration to augment their implant practice. We also provide training for restorative dentists and specialists in the surgical phase of implant treatment,” notes Dr. Fitzgerald.
A unique learning opportunity
Dr. Fitzgerald adds, “The new instructional facility includes a special training and presentation area outfitted with two surgical suites designed for live demonstrations and audiovisual technology that allows us to offer hands-on training seminars to groups of dentists and laboratory staff. An intraoral camera enables attendees to view live video of the procedure in close detail on a large screen in an adjoining lecture area, while simultaneously listening to the instructor.”
The Forte Implant Center provides instruction centered on Nobel Biocare implants and techniques, including All-on-4, a treatment concept developed to provide edentulous patients with an efficient
Drs. Fitzgerald and Tanur restored this smile with the All-on-4 procedure. www.northtexasdentistry.com
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NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY
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The instructional facility includes a special training and presentation area outfitted with two surgical suites designed for live demonstrations and audiovisual technology that allows for hands-on training seminars to groups of dentists and laboratory staff. The Center provides instruction centered on Nobel Biocare implants and techniques, including All-on-4.
and effective restoration using four implants to support an immediately loaded full arch prosthesis. For referring dentists who regularly work with Dr. Fitzgerald and Dr. Tanur, there is no cost for restorative training or cone beam imaging at the Center.
Dr. Fitzgerald points out, “We made the decision to offer courses in implant dentistry in order to help dentists learn how to fully rehabilitate their patients and enjoy the rewards of directly contributing to their health and happiness. At the same time, our courses help them to take their practices to the next level. While many in the dental implant education field focus solely on the surgical phase of the process, Forte Implant Center takes a wellrounded approach, teaching dentists how to perfect the restoration phase as well.”
The Center includes a state-of-the-art Kodak 95 cone beam scanner imaging system, which provides essential diagnostic information and enables precise planning. 8 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
An onsite advantage
In the earliest stages of designing the Center, Dr. Fitzgerald decided to include a fully equipped onsite laboratory to ensure optimal quality, efficiency, cost effectiveness, and predictability. Dental assistant Mario Epigmenio notes, “There are very few inhouse labs like ours. It is a rare advantage to be able to talk directly with our patients, and I have seen how relieved they are that their concerns are being heard and understood. As a trained surgical assistant, I can visualize firsthand exactly how the final implant must look and function, rather than relying on written instructions. This direct communication not only boosts patient confidence, it helps ensure an ideal result.”
Dana Guild, the Center’s senior laboratory technician, has worked with Dr. Fitzgerald since 1990. Dana owned her own lab for many years and is trained at the Masters Level. She knows and trains extensively with some of the world’s most renowned ceramists. Another talented dental technician, Kris Hanks-Elliott, joined the laboratory team in 2002, having honed her skills in both commercial and private labs.
Both the 3D CBCT imaging system and the onsite laboratory, which utilizes the latest techniques and materials, are critical ingredients in obtaining the best possible result. NobelGuide planning software allows the team to create highly accurate surgical guides based on 3D scans of the implant site. This ensures that the implant can be restored in the most functional and aesthetic way.
The laboratory adheres to the highest aesthetic standards, and the laboratory staff’s exceptional artistry contributes to a highly natural looking restoration. “Reproducing the look of natural tissue
Sincerely connecting with patients to explore the options enables the team to develop a treatment plan that matches their expectations.
NobelGuide planning software allows the team to create highly accurate surgical guides based on 3D scans of the implant site.
requires duplicating the variations in color and texture that occur in nature,” Dana notes. “Natural teeth also have complex variations in translucency and color. Attention to this level of visual detail is important if the restoration is to look natural.” Another advantage of the onsite lab is added efficiency. “We can make any necessary shade or contour adjustments immediately instead of having the patient back for another seat appointment.”
The laboratory is an important factor in the function and longevity of dental implants. “To ensure quality, there are several people overseeing production and we don’t take any shortcuts,” Mario explains. “We also use the most advanced materials and techniques. For example, rather than relying on cast bars, which can be subject to breakage, we mill each bar from a block of titanium. With a milled, one-piece structure, there are no solder joints resulting from separate segments being laser-welded together, and no fractures, cracks, or porosities associated with the lost wax technique used to produce cast metal bars so the long-term reliability of the prosthesis is improved.” Connecting with patients
Dr. Fitzgerald and his team begin building a foundation for longterm success and patient satisfaction from the first contact. “Today’s marketplace is different,” he notes. “Typically, patients have researched options online and are fairly well informed when they come in for their initial visit. Often, they have already made a decision before their first phone call. Our role is to be an informational resource. By genuinely listening to their concerns and sincerely connecting with them to explore the options for treatment, we can offer a treatment plan that matches their expectations.
Laura Villareal, patient coordinator at the Center, points out, “Patients are thrilled by the convenience of having every phase of their treatment all in one office. Repeated contact also gives us an opportunity to build a rapport with them, which really helps to put them at ease when they come here.”
Dana Guild, the Center’s senior laboratory technician, has worked with Dr. Fitzgerald since 1990 and is trained at the Masters Level.
Dr. Fitzgerald adds, “Patients are busy, so we make sure we respect them by doing things in a timely fashion. We pay special attention to any scheduling limitations they have, and work with our out-oftown patients to make treatment as convenient as possible.” www.northtexasdentistry.com
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NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY
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Lee Fitzgerald, DDS, FAGD, FICOI, FICD
Dr. Fitzgerald graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1985. He completed his Externship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Southwestern Medical School. In 2006, he graduated from the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry’s Implant Maxi Course.
Dr. Fitzgerald is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/ Implant Dentistry, Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry. He maintains his practice at the Fitzgerald Dental Implant Center — an all-in-one office that includes general dentistry, CBCT scanning, surgery, and lab services under one roof.
In 2012, he founded the Forte Implant Center in Plano, Texas, and currently serves as its director. The Center presents seminars, live surgeries and hands-on training to promote continuing education for dental professionals nationwide.
Eduardo Tanur, DDS, MS
Dr. Tanur received his MS in Periodontics from Baylor College of Dentistry. He is a Board Certified Periodontist and maintains his private practice limited to periodontics and implant dentistry in Dallas. He is a former faculty member at Baylor College of Dentistry and lectures nationally and internationally on periodontics and implants.
Taking the long view
With proper care, dental implants can be expected to last a lifetime. In order to ensure that a patient falls on the right side of the reported 99% success rate, practitioners must carefully consider every aspect of implant treatment and its effect on the future. Implant longevity depends on diagnostic accuracy, thorough planning, experienced treatment and vigilant, ongoing care. In order to provide the highest level of aftercare, Dr. Fitzgerald provides follow up examinations to chart progress and monitor the implant.
Dr. Fitzgerald notes, “An implant is neither a quick fix nor an insignificant investment. We believe that our patients deserve a high-end experience in exchange for their investment of time and money. We firmly believe that maintaining an ongoing, long-term relationship with each implant patient helps to ensure lasting implant success.”
Forte Implant Center is located at 424 Maplelawn Drive in Plano, Texas. For more information, call (972) 612-7800 or visit www.forteimplantcenter.com. FORTE IMPLANT CENTER presents
Beyond All-on-4 with Dr. Edmond Bedrossian Saturday, October 26 8 am - 4 pm 7 CE credits To register, call Laura at (972) 612-7800 or email laura@dallasdentist.com
www.forteimplantcenter.com
Dr. Fitzgerald and Dr. Tanur with the energetic and caring team of the Forte Implant Center. 10 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
FOCUS PHOTOGRAPHY WITH A
ON DENTISTRY
creating compelling professional images that speak for your practice
817.966.2631 www.Bryant Studios.com raybryant@me.com
lawyer’s corner
Cybercrime
and HIPAA-based Enforcement Actions
M
by Sarah Wirskye
ost people think of “cybercrime” as actions by someone who wrongfully gains access to electronic information and then uses it for their benefit illegally. However, “cybercrime” cases also include enforcement actions regarding data breaches against reputable entities who allegedly did not take adequate protection measures safeguarding client data. Both the federal and state governments have pursued such actions and published requirements in dealing with sensitive, and particularly HIPAA, information.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (“HHS OCR”) entered into several major settlements of HIPAA based enforcement actions in 2012. The entities include a major health insurance provider in Tennessee, a hospital in Massachusetts, and the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services. All of these cases settled for between $1.5 and $1.7 million. These cases stem from reported data breaches involving lost or stolen electronic storage media allegedly containing Protected Health Information (“PHI”). These settlements also generally include corrective action plans, some with third party compliance monitoring, in addition to the monetary payments mentioned earlier.
More recently, WellPoint settled a similar case and agreed to pay $1.7 million for leaving information accessible over the internet. HHS OCR began its investigation following a breach report submitted by WellPoint as required by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (“HITECH”) Act. The HITECH Breach Notification Bill requires HIPAA covered entities to report a breach of unsecured PHI. The report indicated that the security weakness in an online application database left electronic PHI of over 612,000 individuals accessible to unauthorized individuals over the internet. OCR’s investigation indicated that WellPoint did not implement 12 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
appropriate administrative and technical safeguards as required under the HIPAA Privacy Rule.
Notably, the government is not only pursuing actions against large insurance carriers or hospital systems. A cardiac surgery practice in Phoenix settled a case for $100,000 with HHS OCR resulting from allegedly posting of PHI on a publicly accessible, internet-based appointment calendar. State attorney generals have also pursued “smaller” cases, which have resulted in sixfigure settlements. Therefore, it is clear that dental practices must take adequate measures as well.
Whether system upgrades are conducted by covered entities or their business associates, HHS OCR expects organizations to have in place reasonable and appropriate technical administrative and physical safeguards to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of electronic PHI – especially information that is accessible over the internet. Moreover, beginning September 23, 2013, liability for many of HIPAA’s requirements will extend directly to business associates that receive or store PHI, such as contractors and subcontractors.
On November 26, 2012, the HHS OCR released guidance regarding methods for de-identification of PHI in accordance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule. Section 164.514(a) of the HIPAA Privacy Rule provides the standard for de-identification of PHI. Under this standard, health information is not individually identifiable if it does not identify an individual and if the covered entity has no reasonable basis to believe it can be used to identify an individual.
The Privacy Rule essentially establishes two methods to deidentify PHI. The first is removing 18 specific identifiers. Generally, the following identifiers of the individual or of relatives, employers, or household members of the individual, are removed: (1) names; (2) all geographic subdivisions smaller
than a state; (3) all elements of dates (except year, but year must be removed in certain situations) for dates that are directly related to an individual; (4) telephone numbers; (5) fax numbers; (6) email addresses; (7) Social Security numbers; (8) medical record numbers; (9) health plan beneficiary numbers; (10) account numbers; (11) certificate/license numbers; (12) vehicle identifiers and serial numbers including license plate numbers; (13) device identifiers and serial numbers; (14) Web Universal Resource Locators (URLs); (15) Internet Protocol (IP) addresses; (16) biometric identifiers, including finger and voice prints; (17) full face photographs and any comparable images; and (18) Any other unique identifying number, characteristic, or code, except as permitted by paragraph (c); and the covered entity does not have actual knowledge that the information could be used alone or in combination with other information to identify an individual who is a subject of the information. The second is obtaining a professional statistical analysis and opinion that the risk of identification of an individual is very small. A covered entity may determine that health information is not individually identifiable health information only if: (1) A person with appropriate knowledge of and experience with generally accepted statistical and scientific principles and methods for rendering information not individually identifiable: (i) Applying such principles and methods, determines the risk is
very small that the information could be used, alone or in combination with other reasonably available information, by an anticipated recipient to identify an individual who is a subject of the information; and (ii) Documents the methods and results of the analysis that justify such determination. Additional rules regarding de-identification can be found at www.hhs.gov.
With the government focus on “cybercrime� becoming an increasing area of scrutiny, dental practices which have access to and record PHI should ensure they are familiar with and implement the appropriate procedures in securing and protecting PHI. Ms. Sarah Wirskye has represented numerous individuals and entities in civil and criminal disputes with federal and state governments and private insurers. She is currently representing several healthcare providers, including dentists and orthodontists, in inquiries by both the state and federal authorities.
For more information contact Ms. Wirskye at swirskye@meadowscollier.com or call (214) 749-2483.
1st Place Rising Stars - Healthcare ASID 2013 Legacy of Design Structures & Interiors proudly specializes in helping Healthcare Professionals like you to design and build your dream office. With over 19 years of experience, we can help you build the office of your dreams! Call us today at (817) 329-4241. www.northtexasdentistry.com
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NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY
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Directions
healthy living
1. Combine sugar and mint in blender. Blend until mint is well incorporated into sugar. Transfer into a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Heat indoor or outdoor grill to medium heat. When grill is hot, spray with PAM® Grilling Spray or similar product. Place pineapple rings on grill, and cook approximately two minutes, or until fruit begins to caramelize.
P
ineapple is a delicious, vibrant fruit widely available all summer. Next time you fire up the grill, keep the fire on and grill pineapple for dessert. Grilling fruit (not just pineapple), caramelizes the natural sugar in the fruit and makes the fruit taste even more sweet and richly flavored.
Pineapple is an excellent source of Vitamin C, a water soluble vitamin that is also an antioxidant and protects cells against free radicals, molecules that can cause cell damage and play a role in heart health, cancer and other diseases. This recipe for grilled pineapple also includes mint, a natural digestive and a terrific low-calorie flavor enhancer.
Don’t let fear of a whole pineapple stop you from trying this recipe! Grocery stores often sell fresh pineapple that has been cored and sliced, and if you enjoy cooking and have time to do your own food prep, the OXO Ratcheting Pineapple Slicer (Model 3108300) for $19.99 really is as easy to use as it appears, with the whole pineapple cored and sliced in literally, a minute or two.
3. Using a metal spatula, turn slices and continue to cook until fruit is browned slightly on second side, another 1 to 2 minutes.
Grilled Pineapple
To serve, top each slice of pineapple with ¼ cup frozen yogurt and 1 teaspoon mint sugar. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.
with Fresh Mint Sugar Ingredients
¼ cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup loosely packed fresh mint 1 fresh pineapple 2½ cups fat free or low fat frozen vanilla yogurt Fresh mint leaves as garnish
Serves: 10
Serving size: 1 large slice pineapple, ¼ cup vanilla yogurt and 1 teaspoon mint sugar. Recipe provided by Kathy Duran-Thal, R.D., Director of Nutrition Cooper Wellness Program, A Cooper Aerobics Company
FIVE DAYS TO
Longer Better COOPER WELLNESS ™ SCIENCE BASED. TRUSTED RESOURCE.
nutrition and eating • healthy living workshops • exercise and activity
Include grilled fruit in your diet as a way to get your 2-3 servings of fruit per day and fight chronic disease! A typical serving of fruit is ½ cup and one large pineapple ring counts as one serving.
14 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
A healthier, brighter future starts with Cooper Wellness. 12230 Preston Road | Dallas, Texas 75230 972.386.4777 | 800.444.5192 | cooperwellness.com
Helping dentists buy & sell practices for over 40 years. AFTCO is the oldest and largest dental practice transition consulting firm in the United States. AFTCO assists dentists with associateships, purchasing and selling of practices, and retirement plans. We are there to serve you through all stages of your career.
Practices for Sale Midland Practice boasts long-term staff, efficient and highly profitable hygiene department. Panorex, digital imaging, and computerized operatories. No big city overhead expenses make this practice more profitable than most. Doctor is flexible with financing and he can stay on, or retire immediately.
AFTCO is the only company that has sold dental practices with a cumulative value of over
$1,500,000,000
West of Ft. Worth Premiere Ortho Practice.Stand-alone gorgeous building built new in 2010. 3500 sq. ft., room to expand into two more operatories. Ortho software: Ortho-2. CBCT – iCAT with InVivo software. Long term staff plan to stay. Consistent $500K producer. 15 monthly consults; average 150 annual starts. No Medicaid. Premier orthodontist wants another Doc to run the business. Very motivated Seller.
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Irving Family Dental Practice. Immaculate facility. 1300 sq. ft., custom designed by Doc. All FFS. Dentrix. All staff to stay. $335K takes it all!
800.232.3826 WWW.AFTCO.NET
Contact us for a FREE PRACTICE APPRAISAL, a $2,500 value!
SMILES SPOTLIGHT in the
Findings
Patient presented with an anterior dental malocclusion, overjet, a deep overbite and hyper-erupted mandibular incisors, narrow arches, and significant anterior crowding especially in the mandibular dentition. Her chief complaint involved the mandibular incisor malpositions and of course, the anterior mandibular arch was the most bothersome to her.
LEADERS IN NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY CREATING UNFORGETTABLE SMILES
Case Presentation
A 24–year old white female presented to the practice via referral from the Invisalign website. She wanted straighter teeth, and was very focused on a particular model of care to achieve it. Tooth straightening was her specific request, and upon deeper questioning we determined that what she really wanted (like most patients) was to smile confidently and unashamedly, for both personal and professional reasons. Motivated by the embarrassment of her smile, she specifically requested orthodontic tooth movement via Invisalign to achieve her goals, and was both committed and prepared to start treatment as soon as possible. She had an unwavering idea of how she wanted to attain her goals.
Treatment Planning
Although patient was very focused on how she wanted to achieve her goals, I discussed all treatment options with her for orthodontic repositioning. Because of the amount of intrusion necessary to succeed with the dentition in the anterior mandible, I recommended bracket and wire orthodontics. Patient declined, and made it very clear that if we couldn’t do Invisalign, she wasn’t going to proceed with the care.
My recommendations were as follows:
1) Referral for traditional bracket and wire orthodontics
2) Hybrid of Invisalign on the maxillary arch, with bracket and wires on the mandibular arch
3) Invisalign with the option or expectation that we may need to refer and finish with brackets and wires.
Patient accepted option 3 and stated that we can, “…do our best without braces, and see where we finish.” I agreed since she was fully aware of the pros and cons, and potential extra costs. 16 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
Procedure
After PVS impressions and all records were taken and submitted, the patient was appointed to share the computer designed treatment plan with the projected or simulated tooth movements in entirety before consenting to full treatment. She accepted the treatment as I presented without modifications, and we were able to show in advance that the position of #27 would not be an ideal Class I at completion. This was not of concern to the patient. Attachments were bonded on teeth numbers: 5, 11, 12, 21, 22, 27 and 28 with the computer-designed and provided Invisalign templates. The patient was given 3 aligners, or 6 weeks of therapy, at each visit and instructed to wear the aligner 21-22 hours per day. Space was achieved via expansion and interproximal reduction in the mandibular anterior area. Patient was extremely compliant, often even eating in her aligners and removing them only to brush and floss despite my recommendations to remove them while eating.
Jeff M. Roy, DDS, FAGD
Dr. Roy, co-owner of 21st Century Dental, graduated from UT Houston Dental in 1996, and then completed an AEGD residency at David Grant Medical Center, Travis AFB, CA in 1997. He earned the Fellowship Award in the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Roy is the Past President and Board Director of the Dallas AGD, and also served roles in the Texas Academy of General Dentistry as Board Director, National Delegate, and Editor of the Texas GP.
Results
Total active treatment took 12-13 months, subtracting the down time for refinements.The intrusion of teeth #23-26 went surprisingly well, and only aligners in conjunction with bonded attachments were used to achieve the final results. Incisal edges were worn due to the extreme, long-term malpositions of the anterior teeth. The photo taken after esthetic recontouring of the incisal edges demonstrates how in 10-15 minutes, finishing touches took the result from “ho-hum” to “Wow!” AFTER INVISALIGN TREATMENT
Worn incisal edges from long-term malocclusion
Follow Up & Retention
We placed a bonded lingual retainer on the mandibular arch, and are utilizing an Essix-style retainer on the maxillary and mandibular arches, trimmed on the lower to co-exist with the bonded retainer. She is on a six-month preventive recare system. After aesthetic recontouring of the incisal edges
21st Century Dental Irving (Las Colinas), TX 75038
Final result
21stCenturyDental.com www.northtexasdentistry.com
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“We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”
– Ronald Reagan
community news
Great Place to Practice by Jim Ruddy
North Dallas Shared Ministries offers a
D
o you ever dream of being able to focus all your attention on patient care, without the distraction of running (or supporting) a successful dental practice? Would you like to walk into a state-of-the-art clinic and start practicing your chosen profession – while others handle administrative details and see that everything is in place to support your efforts? And would you enjoy knowing that you’re giving back to the community where you live and work? If you answered yes, then North Dallas Shared Ministries offers an exciting volunteer opportunity. If you are willing to donate 24 to 48 hours a year, to provide 4 hours of your time (3 hours in the clinic plus travel time) every month or every other month, then you would enable NDSM to establish another regularly scheduled dental clinic.
18 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
NDSM is the charitable outreach of over 50 North Dallas congregations that provides dental care, medical care, food, emergency assistance, tax preparation, education and job counseling to over 60,000 clients annually. Open six days a week, it relies on over 500 volunteers to deliver this broad range of services to the working poor, seniors on fixed incomes and others who need some help to better their lives.
NDSM needs licensed dental professionals – dentists, hygienists, assistants – to help maximize the return on the $100,000 it invested in its dental clinic in 2012.
Through a generous grant from the Hamon Family Foundation, NDSM was able to totally renovate its clinic and equip three stateof-the-art treatment rooms. Each of the three rooms in the Dental Clinic now features the latest in equipment: n Summit Dental’s Daytona chairs
n One complete Daytona package swivel chair with touchpad pre-position and auto exit – including a chair-mounted three-handpiece set and telescoping assistant arm n Two stand-alone hygiene chairs
n Nomad digital portable x-ray machine with XDR Size 2 Sensor
n Additional new, state-of-the-art accessories
In prior years, NDSM offered acute care, extractions and treatment of dental infections at no cost to thousands of Dallas residents. With these new facilities, it is now able to offer: n Cleaning and education to reduce infection n Gum treatment
n Minor restorative care including fillings n Fitting of removable prosthetic devices
NDSM supports its dental professionals by providing malpractice insurance. It also supports its dental professionals by preparing each room prior to their arrival, so instruments are sterilized, all paperwork has been handled, everything is in place and they can get down to business. Photos by Peter Poulides
Philip Kozlow, DDS, (right) who has volunteered at NDSM since 2001, sums up what’s possible now, “These added services are saving teeth, making people healthier and restoring dignity.” He adds, “I’ve found volunteering at NDSM to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career.”
Professionals who’d like to join Dr. Kozlow and NDSM’s dental team may learn more about this opportunity by contacting NDSM’s Dental Coordinator, Rosemary Kinman via email: dentalcoordinator@ndsm.org. Jim Ruddy is an award-winning broadcast journalist, television director and corporate communicator. He's written, produced or directed thousands of hours of television programming, pioneered new applications of visual technology for legal purposes and helped companies large and small tell their stories in a variety of media. For the last four years he's served, pro bono, as Communications Director for North Dallas Shared Ministries, working with a group of dedicated volunteers to oversee NDSM's Internet presence and print publications. A longtime Dallas resident, Jim recently relocated to Austin, Texas.
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Photos by Peter Poulides
“The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.” ― Gordon B. Hinckley
To learn more about all of North Dallas Shared Ministries’ efforts to help the less fortunate who live among us, please visit:
www.ndsm.org
20 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
Convention Issue Southwest Dental Conference
January 30 - February 1, 2014
of such information. Two of the most common causes Make plans NOW toprivacy advertise in the of data breach are loss and theft of a device containing ePHI. North Texas DentistryOnce Convention Issue the device and the data it contains have gone missing, the
In the game of Monopoly, an unfortunate roll of the dice sometimes lands you face to face with the policeman who ushers you directly to jail. If you haven't secured a get-out-of-jail-free card, you're forced to spend time and energy trying to get out, while everyone else continues to advance around the board.
tected health information which compromises the security or
covered entity is required to report the breach of their patient data to HHS, to their patients, and also to the media if their When it comes to HIPAA compliance, sometimes an unfortupool isTexas large enough. that is, the data on the lost Promote your business and services to patient the North DentalUnless, Community nate event can lead to a breach that forces you to spend time or stolen device has been protected by a safeguard called and energy with (and most likelytiming real-world working with the – before the Southwest Dental Conference perfect andcash) perfect targeting encryption. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to determine Encryption is the process of using an algorithm to transform whether you had established the right policies and procedures plaintext information into an unreadable format that can only for handling Electronic Patient Health Information (ePHI), b e
accessed by someone possessing the key that was used to enable taken the appropriate precautions to secure your ePHI, and the encryption in the first place. Without the unique key that’s reacted appropriately to the breach once it had occurred. If the Print Advertisement l Custom Profiles l Spreads created at the time of encryption, the data on the lost or stolen HHS determines you made any mistakes along the way, you can device will be completely unreadable. expect additional fines and possibly additional time and effort Our team can make your marketing dreams a reality! to implement any changes they deem necessary to the way you The HITECH Act issues technical guidance on the technologies handle ePHI. ADDED BONUS 4 BE INCLUDED IN SPECIAL BOOTH LISTING 4 DEADLINE: DECEMBER 2 and methodologies “that render protected health information unusable, unreadable, or indecipherable to unauthorized indiToo bad there isn’t a get-out-breach-free card you could play viduals.” The guidance specifies encryption as an action that when it comes to those unforeseen and unintended events that REQUEST A MEDIA KIT: info@northtexasdentistry.com renders ePHI unusable if it falls in to the wrong hands. ePHI lead to a breach... or is there? that is encrypted and whose encryption keys are properly Section 13400(1) of the Act defines ‘‘breach’’ to mean, generally, secured would provide a “safe harbor” to covered entities and the unauthorized acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of pro-
www.northtexasdentistry.com
New Rules
for Patient Testimonials WHAT TEXAS DENTISTS SHOULD KNOW As of May 1st, 2013, The Texas State Board of Dental Examiners is now allowing dentists in Texas to use patient testimonials in marketing and advertising materials, with certain limitations. Previously, all patient testimonials were essentially banned with the exception of reporting clinical studies results or scientific journal articles.
What should a dentist know about the use of patient testimonials? To guide you, our team at Bullseye Media asked Dallas attorney David S. Cohen, Esq. to provide us with everything a North Texas dentist should know about the new legal considerations and appropriate use of patient testimonials.
P
sychologists often say that humans are a storytelling species. We connect with each other in this way. It’s what makes us human. In fact, we often look to stories to guide our decision-making. Here’s an interesting and topical example; doctors at The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine conducted a study to see how patient testimonials (which are a type of story) affect the decisions that patients make regarding their treatment. In the study, they presented hypothetical heart bypass surgery patients with medical statistics about the benefits of the surgery to aid their decision. In another group of hypothetical patients, they presented the same medical statistics, but also included positive and negative patient testimonials from patients who had already experienced the surgery. They found that overwhelmingly, the inclusion of written patient testimonials significantly influenced their decision to have the surgery or not. In this case, human connection through storytelling beat out the scientific and medical facts.
practice marketing
by Neil Rudoff
The Revised Rules
for Dental Patient Testimonials in Texas
Definitions. Previously, one of the most troubling things about the ban on 1 dental patient testimonials was that “testimonial” was never clearly defined by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. In the new ruling, Mr. Cohen says they explicitly define what constitutes a testimonial and an advertisement. These two definitions are important to note because, as Mr. Cohen points out, the law implies that testimonials that do not speak to a dentist or dental specialist’s competence may be permissible, depending on their nature. For example, testimonials attesting to the warm, welcoming environment of the dental office will likely be okay to use. To read the complete definitions, see Title 22 of the Texas Administrative Code, 108.51(6).
2
Advertising for General Dentists. Mr. Cohen points out that this revision is meant to prevent improper explicit or implied claims of specialization of a dental practice. Put simply, if you are a general dentist, you can include a list of your services (eg., dental implants) in your advertising but you must disclose and include that you are a general dentist and not a specialist.
3
False, Misleading or Deceptive Advertising. This third revision to Title 22 of TAC specifically speaks to the new ruling on patient testimonials. Additionally, Mr. Cohen says that a dentist must always communicate truthfully and respect the trust a dentist assumes in the dentist-patient relationship. The revision puts the following requirements on a dentist’s patient testimonials:
n Must be a patient of record. The testimonial must come from a patient of record. If you (as the dentist) have a connection to the patient other than a normal doctor/patient relationship, you should disclose that in the testimonial.
n Patient must be verifiable. Should the TSBDE decide to investigate your patient testimonial, the patient should be easy to contact directly. The patient should be ready to confirm everything they said in the advertised testimonial.
n Who is the patient? The testimonial must include the first name, last initial, city and state of residence, professional certifications, career background and whether the speaker is a paid spokesperson, celebrity endorsement, volunteer patient, actor portrayal or means to represent a group of patients.
n All rules apply. The testimonial is subject to all other rules regarding false, misleading or deceptive statements; meaning, it cannot imply the dentist has a specialization they do not have, make claims of dental work without pain and imply superiority of materials or performance of a dentist’s services, among others.
22 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
grow the dental practice that you’ve always wanted.
NOTE: This article is for informational purposes only and not intended for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should always seek the guidance of an attorney with respect to any particular issue or problem. For information and guidance about the content in this specific article, please contact David S. Cohen, Esq. at his office by calling (972) 379-7513.
What to Avoid in Patient Testimonials
To make sure you are in compliance, here is what to avoid:
Avoid over-the-top statements or unverifiable, absolute claims of superiority. Mr. Cohen advises, “Patient testimonials must be an accurate reflection of the endorsing patient’s experience with the dentist. Any kind of language in the testimonial that may be taken out of context by the average consumer should be avoided.”
Avoid statements like: “The Best Doctor/Dentist in town” or “All of my
What this tells us is that it doesn’t matter if you have Hemingway writing your dental website copy. In the end, people just want to know what regular people think about you before they make an appointment. With statistics showing that 70% of people say they value a stranger’s opinion when making a purchase decision, there is no denying that online recommendations and patient testimonials have the potential to build your social proof and help with your online marketing efforts.
Mr. Cohen advises whether you take the testimonial in person, through a comment card, website submission, or with any other collection method, you must always get the written consent of the patient to use the testimonial. Don’t forget to include a waiver of liability as well. Also, if the testimonial was made 3-6 months ago or longer, den-
friends go to this doctor” or “This doctor is never late!”
Avoid absolute words or phrases like: Always, never, nobody, all, every each, none, everyone, everybody
Mr. Cohen says that to stay within compliance, dentists should only “consider advertising positive patient testimonials that contain innocent, positive comments (“Doctor is very pleasant and professional”) or verifiable information (“Doctor had me out of the chair in 30 minutes flat!)” tists should check with the patient to ensure that the testimonial still stands as is.
Your patients’ stories can tell a positive story about your practice. If done correctly and legally, testimonials really do have the capability to build social proof and help you
David S. Cohen, Esq. is an attorney based in Dallas, Texas, who owns Cohen Law Firm, PLLC, a law firm specializing in business law as it pertains to dentists. Mr. Cohen is involved with dental and specialty practice transitions, full purchases and sales of dental and specialty practices, dental and specialty partnerships, associate agreements, incorporations of practices, business structuring, and real estate transactions pertaining to dental and specialty offices. For more information, visit www.cohenlawfirmpllc.com.
Neil Rudoff is the Senior Account Executive at Bullseye Media in McKinney, Texas. He received his BA degree from Tufts University in 1989 and his MBA from UT Austin in 1993, and has been an online marketing and web design consultant since 2003. He can be reached at (214) 491-6166 or neil@bullseyemediallc.com BullseyeMedia, LLC is a McKinney, Texas based full-service digital marketing agency that specializes in helping dentist leverage the internet to grow their practices. Visit the website at www.onlinedentalmarketing.com.
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practice management
A
What’s your financial management system?
s an accounts receivable consultant, I have observed hundreds of dental teams and how they handle the initial billing and follow-up of patients’ accounts. It has been my experience that the way a front office addresses patient billing and office operations is directly influenced by the doctor.
According to Dental IQ, the Levin Group, Inc. states there are four main areas of dental practice management: Operational, Financial, Human Resources and Marketing. Increasingly, the office manager is responsible for all of these areas at once, unlike in a larger business where separate individuals would be responsible for each area.
The study also found that most dentists focus their attention on gross revenues of the practice and pay little attention to the financial management, including accounts receivable and collections. In many offices, the responsibility of collecting payments for services rendered and managing and maintaining accounts receivable falls squarely on the office manager and the front office staff. The office manager wears many hats and is required to oversee various duties, and consequently does not have the time to devote full attention to financial management.
As the owner of the business, the dentist is viewed by the staff as the practice’s leader. It is imperative for dentists to share their vision for the practice and convey a clear message as to the collections policies that will be followed at the practice. To avoid confusion, guidelines should be in place for discounting fees or extending payment after treatment is completed. Accounts receivable should be at the forefront of the responsibilities of the front office staff – not just something to check on when there is extra time.
Doctors, staff and patients continue to feel the pressure from changes in the healthcare industry. The increasing cost of insurance plans and high deductibles has patients spending more out of pocket for their healthcare expenses. The need to collect payment up front by the office staff is greater than ever. Adding to the situation, many practices are utilizing fewer personnel to perform more administrative tasks, which creates the scenario of patients leaving the office without sufficiently paying on the estimated balance on their account. 24 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
by Alex Marcopolos
It doesn’t matter what tools or process an office uses to improve its financial management. Denise Ciardello of Global Team Solutions states, “Any practice can be successful with the proper systems in place.” Whether a practice uses the old method of printing out the patient aging report, taking a highlighter to each name and noting which accounts are past due, or a more innovative approach utilizing software connected to the practice management system to present delinquent accounts based on age and balance owed – the particular method is not the issue. The need for a system and the implementation of the system is what is important.
In order to improve financial management, there must be a full time dedication to accounts receivable with a clear collection message driven by the doctor that is carried out by the office manager and the entire team. If this is not a priority in your practice, then it won’t matter what process is used.
Of course, there are many successful practices run by an office manager and staff that can balance the needs of the patient with the financial and operational needs of the business. If day-to-day financial management is not a priority in your practice, actively seek out knowledgeable consultants who can offer education and advice on innovative ways to operate in a rapidly changing business climate. Alex Marcopolos is the District Manager for the North Texas office of Transworld Systems in Richardson, TX. Since 2009, he has been working to assist dental practices with their accounts receivables and patient collections. Transworld helps his clients achieve the highest recovery rates possible using a system of diplomatic and professional contacts that keep the practice in complete control of their accounts. Alex and his finance and business partner Sarah Coit work with general, pediatric and dental specialists in the Dallas, Denton, Tarrant and Collin County areas. He has been a vendor at the SWDC and is a proud corporate member of the Eco Dentistry Association. Alex and Transworld Systems have a local and national commitment to the education of dentists and their billing teams. http://web.transworldsystems.com/northdallas Ph: 1-855-752-2309 www.linkedin.com/in/alexmarcopolos
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wine cellar
O
by Kim Clarke nce upon a time, too many years ago when we had no kids and more money, my spouse and I would go to a couple of well-known Dallas French restaurants where we dined on snails, sweetbreads, sole and soufflés. We were our own version of big time, splitting a bottle of Frederick Wildman Vouvray each time – and I mean each and every time. I don’t know what prompted us to order it, but we never deviated from the
was handwritten and at least 25 pages thick. It looked and felt like it came from one of those old mimeograph machines but lacked that peculiar alcohol smell. On the front page was a write-up on the featured wine, usually something priced at less than $10, along with a piece on the state of the wine union for that month. There were wines that I never heard of and plenty I wanted to try after reading the newsletter’s description. It was all forbidden fruit,
The Education of a Wine Drinker
Vouvray, partly because we liked it but mainly because we had no idea what else to buy. Looking back, it was as if we were first graders at the beginning of a new school year, safe in our home room but not very comfortable outside its confines.
A couple of other outings encouraged us to continue our wine sojourn. While having dinner with some neighbor friends at yet another French restaurant, one of them, obviously more schooled in wine than we, ordered a bottle of Mersault. As I recall, we really, really liked it but knew nothing about how or where Mersault fit into the world of wine. Couldn’t spell it or pronounce it and later found out we couldn’t afford it either. At another repast celebrating the closing of a business deal, we all drank Freemark Abbey Chardonnay while waiting on late arrivals to be seated. Now this was a real wine – made in the USA with a label we could understand – and it was in our price range. We bought it by the case.
I started picking up Wine Spectator occasionally at the book store to look at the scores. Red wine seemed to get most of the big numbers but they weren’t meaningful to me as I had yet to develop a taste for red wine. I also found it odd that a $50 wine and a $12 wine received the same score. On the last few pages of the magazine, there were classified ads touting monthly newsletters from California-based wine retailers offering great prices on wines from all over the world. I signed up for a couple, most notably one from Wine Exchange in Orange County, California. From the moment the first one arrived I was hooked. This thing 26 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
though, because Texas law at the time prohibited shipment of wine to Texas consumers from out-of-state retailers.
I used these newsletters like a set of reference books. They wrote about good wine in all price ranges and avoided wines that were all hype with no substance. I first read about Australian wines from Marquis Phillips in the Wine Exchange newsletter. They had big scores from Parker and every Dallas wine shop lucky enough to get some sold out within days. I discovered big, inexpensive Spanish wines from Eric Solomon and Jorge Ordonez, outstanding Rhone wines starting with the stellar 2007 vintage and value buys from a string of great Bordeaux years. I also used their pricing as a guide to determine what I would pay for a particular wine, offsetting the average shipping cost of $2 per bottle with the savings from not having to pay sales tax. All this without ever buying a bottle of wine.
After 25 years of these monthly newsletters (now found online), I have a few observations to share. The retail wine business has become vastly more consumer friendly. There are wines on the shelves today that never reached our market 10 years ago, and pricing has never been better. It’s not difficult beating the newsletter’s pricing straight up today, whereas local prices 10 years ago were a lot higher. There’s more really good wine available than ever before and you can find it in almost every grocery store, drug store, convenience store and liquor store in town. And I now know that Vouvray is made from Chenin Blanc grapes grown in the Loire Valley of France and it’s still really tasty. If you’re interested, check out the website at www.winex.com.
NEWS
& notes
New CEO Named at Community Dental Care
CDC Welcomes Sharon Fulcher-Estes
Sharon Fulcher-Estes
Sharon Fulcher-Estes was recently named Chief Executive Officer of Community Dental Care, a charitable organization providing low-cost dental care and education to families in the greater Dallas area for 50 years. The organization offers dental services at twelve dental centers in Dallas, Carrollton/Farmers Branch, Garland, Irving, McKinney, and Plano. FulcherEstes brings an extensive history of nonprofit leadership to her new position,
including tenure at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Ronald McDonald House in Winston Salem, North Carolina, and Masonic Home and School of Texas in Hurst, Texas. Among her many accomplishments has been the highly successful “Fantastic Teeth Fan Club,” an extensive dental decay prevention program for children across Texas. TO CONTACT :
Sharon Fulcher-Estes Community Dental Care 1420 W. Mockingbird Lane, Suite 500 Dallas, Texas 75247 214-879-7112 sestes@communitydentalcare.org www.communitydentalcare.org
Tell the North Texas Dental community your news! Submit your news to info@northtexasdentistry.com
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money matters
The New Dentist’s Ten-Year Plan for Financial Success
T
by Richard V. Lyschik, DDS, FAGD
If you have a family which is dependent on you and your future earning power, then the choices you make as you start out in your career can and will have a profound effect on their lives. What is the primary reason to go into dentistry? I know this would annoy your former instructors at dental school, but the answer should be to make enough money that will allow you to provide a better standard of living and financial security for your family. Your family should Should you plan for your future like always be your number one responsibility, you’ve got 35 years to practice? and it is up to you to provide for them. to fate. We can’t do anything about the How long will you practice dentistry? number of years we have to practice, but The answer is – you don’t know! Death, we can do something about how we plan disability, incapacitating illness and even for those years. burnout can cut a career short. When
here is an old maxim, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”. No one knows just how long they will practice dentistry. It could be one year, ten years or fifty years, no one knows. A normal practice lifetime for a dentist is usually around 30 to 35 years, and we each like to think that this applies to ourselves. However, the vicissitudes of life are such that no one would even try to predict this; we just have to leave things
28 NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY | www.northtexasdentistry.com
you are planning your family’s financial security, should you plan for your future like you’ve got 35 years to practice? Or, should you plan your future like you only have ten or twelve years? Having a business plan that allows you to reach financial security in the shortest period of time is the smartest and most responsible choice. Hopefully you will be able to practice dentistry for at least ten years, so we advocate a plan that gets you where you want to be in that period of time.
So how do you come up with a plan for financial security in the shortest period of time? By accepting certain elementary truths when planning your future. For example, making more money is certainly better than making less money.
Own and operate your practice. For most dentists, you will make much more
cial security in a shorter period of time, then you owe it to yourself, and your family, to investigate all of the possibilities that your career in dentistry has to offer you.
money owning and operating your own practice than you ever will working for someone else. Reasonable earnings for an average associate practicing dentistry in someone else’s office are somewhere between $100,000 to $150,000 per year. Reasonable earnings for an average dentist who owns and operates his/her own solo practice are around $200,000 to $300,000 per year, and we have seen more than that, too! Taking it a step further, reasonable earnings for an entrepreneurial dentist, owning several dental offices, is between $500,000 to $1,000,000 a year!
Talk to an expert who can outline your different opportunities in your professional lifetime. Only the rarest of CPAs and lawyers can help you here. Be sure to “Go with a Guide that knows the Territory!”
The choice is yours to make on how to plan for a more rewarding future in dentistry. Why not choose to do it all in ten years?
Richard V. Lyschik, DDS, FAGD is one of AFTCO’s leading innovative Senior Analysts and has helped over 2,900 dentists in associating, buying, expanding, or merging and guided older, disabled and/or “burned out” dentists to sell their practices. Dr. Lyschik’s clients have seen the considerable benefits of incentive programs, pension funding plans and increased productivity through his guidance. There is no substitute for experience in this business. Who better could you choose to talk to about your future transition plans than a seasoned fellow dentist, a recognized premier transition expert, and AFTCO Analyst of the Year Award winner? Check out the impressive AFTCO website at www.AFTCO.net, then call for a free appraisal and a no-obligation consultation with Dr. Lyschik at your office or the AFTCO office in Dallas, TX at (214) 893-0410 or 1-800-232-3826.
Take some time to think about what you want your plan to be. This article only scratches the surface; explore all of your options before you make a choice.
Talk to other dentists and ask them what they would have done differently. Just remember, failing to plan is a plan to fail. If you have confidence in your ability and the desire to reach finan-
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profile
Welcomes New Chief Dental Director Children 1st Dental & Surgery Center welcomes its new Chief Dental Director, John Gober, DDS, who is is a specialist in pediatric dentistry with private practices in Colleyville, Saginaw and Irving. Dr. Gober grew up in Corsicana and attended Corsicana High School (Class of 1983). He graduated from the Pre-Dental Biology program at Baylor University in Waco, Texas in 1987, and earned a DDS degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas in 1991. Dr. Gober completed a two-year residency in Pediatric Dentistry at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and earned a Fellowship and Specialty Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry in 1993. Dr. Gober has been in private practice for 20 years and provides care for more than 400 patients a year in the operating room.
John Gober, DDS
Children 1st Dental & Surgery Center (CFDS) is a state-licensed Ambulatory Surgical Center dedicated exclusively to dentistry for children ages 2-8. At Children 1st, a team approach to care allows the dentist to focus on treatment while the anesthesiologist monitors the patient’s vitals and ensures peaceful sleep. The Center provides a hospital-like setting that is ideal for children who require general anesthesia or deep sedation but not an overnight stay to receive the necessary dental care.
Children 1st Dental & Surgery Center is expanding to Houston January 2014! ADVERTISER’S INDEX
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